historical fiction – Page 35 – Cannonball Read 17

A bit of a mixed bag (and a complete Passport!)

The Lost Apothecary: A Novel by Sarah Penner

March 30, 2023 by ElCicco 2 Comments

CBR15passport book you own (passport complete) I bought this book a while back as part of a sale. It’s historical fiction, which I almost always enjoy, and it moves back and forth between the late 18th century and present day London. Overall, it’s a decent read, the kind of book that you could finish on a long flight or over a weekend. Its focus is on female characters struggling to deal with dishonest and unfaithful men, and women finding fulfillment in their own work and […]

Tom Joad needs a bath

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

March 28, 2023 by genericwhitegirl 2 Comments

“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord, he is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath have stored…” Were you oblivious like me that these were the words in the first line of the Battle Hymn of the Republic? I’m not sure if these are the same grapes Steinbeck is referring to, but there is enough wrath in the world to go around, whether it’s the wrath of the Union army during the Civil War or the wrath […]

Math problems on Mars.

Singer Distance by Ethan Chatagnier

March 28, 2023 by narfna Leave a Comment

I said in a status update while reading Singer Distance that it was giving me Contact vibes, and that’s true. The homespun science and grungy academic feel of the book, along with a group of characters working towards contacting aliens does give me the same feelings I get watching that movie (I have the book and I really need to finally read it!), but Singer Distance also has its own unique feel. This is an alternate history where back in the late 1800s, scientists spotted a message on Mars and began […]

Stop, I’m Already Dead

Essex Dogs by Dan Jones

March 20, 2023 by Halbs Leave a Comment

I’m a Dan Jones guy. I enjoy his entertaining and well-researched history books (The Templars) and television programmes. His debut work of fiction (historical, of course) is Essex Dogs, the story of an English mercenary group invading France in the fourteenth century. The Dogs were formerly led by “The Captain,” although he has disappeared for reasons unknown. “Loveday” is the de factor leader of the Dogs these days, and “The Scotsman” is his right-hand man. Where Loveday is a bit taciturn, The Scotsman is, well, […]

“A grace so ordinary there was no reason at all to remember it.”

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger

March 11, 2023 by jomidi Leave a Comment

A librarian friend, whom I usually agree about books with, has been singing the praises of William Kent Krueger for quite a while now. Last year, based upon her recommendation I read his book The Tender Land, and didn’t much care for it. But since she has been relentless, I decided to give him another chance and read Ordinary Grace. So glad I did, as I really liked this one. The story is set in 1961 in a small town in Minnesota. Thirteen year old Frank […]

Nasty, Brutish, and Short

The Summer Queen: Eleanor of Aquitaine Trilogy, Book 1 by Elizabeth Chadwick

February 28, 2023 by Debcapsfan Leave a Comment

Cannonball passport- new author Another beautiful cover. People have long been fascinated with the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine, because she held power at a time when women did not. In both England and in France, she had considerable influence and power. She also is a bit of a mystery, because while writing at the time speaks to her beauty, there is no portrait of her actual likeness. The Summer Queen takes us from the time when Eleanor is 13 and her father dies and […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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